Demosthenes

David Ryan (University of San Francisco)

Ed. by Vaios Liapis, Open University of Cyprus
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.1: Greek Writing and Culture: Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Imperial, -800--100.
Vol. editors: Jonathan Burgess (University of Toronto), Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Vaios Liapis (Open University of Cyprus), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Mali Skotheim (Ashoka University), Laura Swift (The Open University), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool)

Dates

Born c. -383
Died c. -322
Activity c. -363-c. -322

Places

Born in Ancient Greece
Active in Ancient Greece

Activities

Primary

Essayist
Rhetorician/ Orator

Resources

Demosthenes' Works

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Vilified by the Peripatetics yet revered by the Alexandrians (particularly Didymus), Demosthenes was one of the most studied

rhetors

to emerge from the combustive Athenian political life of 4th century BCE. Waging battle in the courts,

agora

, and assembly, Demosthenes profoundly affected and influenced the domestic and foreign policies of Athens in its frequent confrontations with Macedon. His historical status as a shrewd statesman, influential orator, and gifted writer makes Demosthenes a compelling yet difficult figure to study.

Because the surviving slivers of his biography and character assessments were often crafted by his ideological opponents (such as Aeschines) as well as his partisan admirers, the historical record dedicated to Demosthenes is one of contrastive statements, for

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2693 words

Citation: Ryan, David. "Demosthenes". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 January 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1226, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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